Trailering in Illinois (Info)

MF1455v · Sep 17, 2013

I'm going to central Illinois next week to pick up a Farmall Super MTA and a 4 bottom plow. Found out they require chains for securing the tractor. Not a problem as I prefer to use them anyway.

Need to find out if I can use straps on the plow. Also if there are any other trailering laws to be aware of in the state. Did a Google search but that's like looking for a needle in a hay stack. Texas and Oklahoma are no problem and I have a friend from Missouri says I will be good. Any help on Illinois would be great.

Here's a little back ground on what my setup is.
1 ton Dodge Diesel
32ft gooseneck with tandem 10k Dexters

I'm sure I left something out so go easy. I'm usually over the state requirements, I just want to avoid any unknown surprises.

Thanks
James

Diamondpilot · Sep 17, 2013

Straps are fine. I trailer in Illinois quite often being from Indiana. Clean rig, good chains, working lights and they will not even bat a eye.

Chris

Timm250 · Sep 17, 2013

If your registration in for more than 26,000 lbs be careful. I have heard of people from KY being ticketed because they had farm plates & the registration was for more than 26,000 lbs. I actually lowered the registration on my pu because of this. The fine is for not paying the road taxes & it is over $1000.

Diamondpilot · Sep 17, 2013

Timm250 said:
If your registration in for more than 26,000 lbs be careful. I have heard of people from KY being ticketed because they had farm plates & the registration was for more than 26,000 lbs. I actually lowered the registration on my pu because of this. The fine is for not paying the road taxes & it is over $1000.

Farm plates are limited to 150 miles from the registration address and not valid over state lines. At least here.

Chris

MF1455v · Sep 17, 2013

Thanks for the information guys. This was exactly what I was looking for. I do have farm tags on the trailer and its rated at 20,000 lbs. Truck is rated at 18,000 if I remember right. Need to double check. I got my Class A CDL because both were over 36,000 lbs. I've never used it for anything but this rig.

Known people to get pulled over and get the truck and trailer impounded for not having a CDL for the same size setup. But then again you see utility trailers with no lights, tags and stuff not strapped down all the time down here. Go figure.

I just completed a full inspection of the trailer this afternoon. Found the battery for the emergency break away bad. Need to stop and pick up a new one tomorrow.

MF1455v · Sep 17, 2013

Thought I include a picture of my rig.

dodge man · Sep 17, 2013

Nice looking rig, where in Illinois are you going?

rustyshakelford · Sep 17, 2013

Me personally would run thru the night in Illinois. Never had good luck and would be better all around to not draw any additional attention

Brett

Todd727 · Sep 18, 2013

I've run my farm plates all over the country, just not when towing.

mikehaugen · Sep 18, 2013

I have never heard of the chain law, but that doesn't mean it isn't there. I haul my tractor with a chains on the front, and use straps on the back to to draw up the tension on the chains. (I know it would probably make more sense to do it the other way, but the way my trailer/tractor is configured, this works better... besides if the straps were going to break, I would rather have the tractor roll into the back of my truck than off the trailer.) Anyway though, I have never been questioned, but I have also never been pulled over with this setup or given an officer a reason to start checking stuff. I also don't have as big of a setup as you, so maybe I am a little less conspicuous.